Tag: Sheffield Bach Choir

Choir gives “outstanding” sell-out Messiah in Cutler’s Hall

4 December 2025

A sold-out Cutler’s Hall was the venue for an outstanding performance of Handel’s Messiah from Sheffield Bach Choir on Monday 1 December in a concert conducted by Philip Colin and attended by the Mistress Cutler Gina Jackson and other dignitaries.

Messiah, first performed in Dublin in 1742, has been performed countless times the world over ever since, including every year by Sheffield Bach Choir in partnership with the National Festival Orchestra. With guests from Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus and a team of talented soloists, the mastery of Handel’s magnificent oratorio from both singers and players was very much on show on Monday night.

“The performance from your choir was outstanding and I felt very privileged to be there.” said the Mistress Cutler Gina Jackson. “The hall normally has a buzz during our annual feast but tonight your choir beat that hands down.“

A collection was taken for the Master Cutler’s charity, the Weston Park Cancer Charity, and the concert was dedicated to the memory of Helen Frances Walker, a keen supporter of the choir for over 35 years and often seen knitting on the back row of the audience.

The choir now looks forward to its annual Come and Sing Christmas Messiah at St James’s Church Norton. Open to anyone, it costs £15 including mulled wine and mince pies. See Current Season Concerts for further information and to buy tickets.

Faure and Britten prove to be big hits

19 November 2025

A substantial audience at St Mark’s Church were treated to a superb concert on Saturday 15 November 2025, with Sheffield Bach Choir and choristers from St John’s Ranmoor, with players from the National Festival orchestra and organist Peter Shepherd, conducted by Philip Collin.

The pairing of Benjamin Britten’s exciting oratorio Saint Nicolas with Gabriel Faure’s beautiful Requiem proved to be very popular, with an almost-full church greatly appreciating the performances from choir, choristers, soloists and players.

Britten’s piece featured young choristers singing beautifully from the back of the church, with the three pickled boys (actually girls on this occasion) making the most of the drama by singing while moving up the central aisle to the front.

Soloists and choirs shine in Brahm’s German Requiem

Monday 1st July 2024

On Saturday 29th June Sheffield Oratorio Chorus and Sheffield Bach Choir joined soloists Elizabeth Watts and Darren Jeffery and the South Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra to perform Brahms’ wonderful German Requiem at the Victoria Hall in Sheffield.

The two choirs had a wonderful time singing one of the favourites of the choral repertoire, and the two soloists were absolutely superb. Elizabeth Watts, hailed by the International Record Review as “one of the most beautiful voices Britain has produced in a generation”, Elizabeth sang with passion and meticulous accuracy, thrilling members of the audience, choir and orchestra alike. Bass-baritone Darren Jeffery’s voice is well suited to the work and his rendition was rich and powerful.

Fantastic playing by the South Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra and organist Philip Collin, conducted with spirit by Alan Eost, this was a marvellous end to the season.

Mulled wine and mince pies at St James’

Thursday 14 December 2023

A packed church and plenty of mince pies ensured that Sheffield Bach Choir’s annual Come and Sing Messiah fostered a suitably festive atmosphere at St James’ church Norton on Monday 11 December.

“The mulled wine was fantastic – really fruity, and there were lots of mince pies – plenty for everyone despite the packed out church” said choir Secretary Liz Buxton. “The singing was enjoyable as well of course. We decided to stick to just the choruses – which therefore came thick and fast! “

Choir President Professor George Nicholson led the proceedings, and the organ was played by the choir’s new Music Director Philip Collin.

Dramatic Elijah enjoyed by all

Monday 20 November 2023

Sheffield Bach Choir were very pleased with their first concert of the season, when Mendelssohn’s wonderful oratorio was presented in St Mark’s church Broomhill.

“This amazing and popular work tells the story of the prophet Elijah” said choir Chair Chris Walker. “It’s certainly dramatic – there’s a duel of the Gods, temptation by Jezebel,  Elijah’s time in the wilderness seeking the Lord in tempest, earthquake, and fire, and his final ascent into heaven!”

The choir was conducted by their new Music Director Philip Collin, with the National Festival Orchestra and Peter Shepherd on the organ.

Choir seeks new Conductor

The Sheffield Bach Choir is seeking a new Conductor to take up post on 1st September 2023. The new post-holder will play a key role in shaping future programmes and supporting the Committee in identifying potential soloists.

‘We have enjoyed over ten years of fantastic leadership from Dr Simon Lindley, but all good things come to an end and we are now looking forward to working with a new Conductor’ said Chair Chris Walker. ‘We plan well in advance, so the programme for next season is already scheduled, but the post-holder will play a key role in planning future schedules and choosing soloists to work with us, as well as leading auditions and of course, preparing us for concerts’.

Anyone interested in this exciting opportunity should follow the link to the further details. The closing date is 10 February 2023. SBS Appointment of Conductor – details for applicants



Over £1,000 for Archer Project

The audience at Sheffield Bach Choir’s annual Messiah donated a magnificent £1, 157.86 for the cathedral’s Archer Project, which supports homeless people across Sheffield.

‘We are really grateful to all those who contributed.’ said choir Chair Chris Walker. ‘ A fantastic amount for a wonderful charity, and much needed especially at this time of year’.

The choir always holds a collection for the Archer collection at their annual Messiah performance, following a tradition started by Handel himself, who gave a performance of Messiah in 1750 in aid of one of his favourite charities, the Foundling Hospital, founded in 1739 by Thomas Coram, a philanthropic sea captain.

‘The Archer Project has supported thousands of people for over thirty years, aiming to help them into accommodation and to build fulfilling lives.’ explained Chris. ‘It started back in the 1980’s when the cathedral’s congregation providing homeless individuals with shelter and a basic breakfast. It has since developed into a service designed to help homeless people to improve their lives. Sheffield Bach Choir is very pleased to help support it’.

The concert itself was very well received by an enthusiastic audience, which leapt to its feet when the final ‘Amen’ had finished echoing round the cathedral. A wonderful evening rounded off with a most magnificent collection for this worthy charity.

You can read more about the Archer Project at https://www.archerproject.org.uk/

Standing ovation for Messiah

Sheffield Bach Choir, along with friends from St Peter’s Singers and Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus, sang Handel’s Messiah on Monday evening, and the audience leapt to their feet in appreciation at the magnificent conclusion.

‘What a terrific performance! … With the orchestra in fine form and a great team of soloists keeping us on our toes it’s no wonder the adrenaline flew in abundance.’ said conductor George Nicholson. The choir ‘clearly picked up the charge that was in the air and the results were amazing. …..a brilliant performance!’

Sally Robinson’s National Festival Orchestra were on great form, giving a polished and committed performance, not least the amazing Anthony Thompson, who played the trumpet accompaniment to ‘the Trumpet shall sound’, marvellously sung by bass-baritone Florian Stӧrtz. Tenor David Brown started the evening with a lyrical ‘Comfort Ye’, and beautiful singing from both alto Hannah Mason and soprano Nicola Hooke soared around the cathedral as though from angels themselves.

‘It was amazing and although I’m no expert ,the music and the atmosphere was definitely the best and I have listened to 35 of your Messiahs.’ said one audience member. ‘It was most enjoyable and such a quality performance by ALL. Thank you.’ echoed another.

Brilliant evening of Bach

The “Brilliance of Bach” turned Saturday 18 June 2022 into a suitably brilliant evening. There had been some apprehension, because the choir are still recovering from the long shut down due to the pandemic and we were only able to field about half of our usual complement.

But the evening was a splendid mixture of different Bach delicacies, with variety being the key. Darius Battiwalla’s organ playing, especially in the Toccata and Fugue in D minor was stunning, bringing some of the audience to their feet at the end in appreciation. There was a similar rapturous reception for the excellent rendering of the Concerto in D minor BWV1043 by members of the National Festival Orchestra. The audience watched spellbound as the violins of Sally Robinson and Rachael England seemed to come alive in their hands.

Against this background of brilliance the choir presented several pieces, from simple to highly complex, with variety again being the theme, demonstrating the mastery and talent of this most special of composers.

Stand-in conductor, our President George Nicholson, who has been instrumental in encouraging the choir back from such a long, enforced absence, together with our highly accomplished accompanist Ruth Nicholson on organ and harpsichord completed a splendid evening of music.

We had a capacity audience, and are so grateful to all of you for supporting us. We hope you enjoyed your evening.

Paul Downing

Messiah raises record amount for charity

18 December 2018

The choir enjoyed an exceptionally successful performance of Messiah in Sheffield Cathedral on Monday 3 December 2018, with audience reporting it to be our ‘best ever’! Everyone appreciated the National Festival Orchestra’s confident rendition, and the power and accuracy of local soprano Ella Taylor. Counter tenor David Allsopp sang with wonderful sensitivity, and tenor David Brown and bass Quentin Brown gave excellent support.

This annual performance always features a retiring collection for the cathedral’s excellent Archer Project, which this year raised an amazing £1324.55, way higher than last year and quite probably the choir’s highest collection ever for this worthy cause. The choir is grateful to the audience members for their generous contributions.

The choir also sing carols at Waitrose, which raised £131 for choir funds as well as being a cheerful and fun event for all concerned. Thanks are due to everyone who turned out to sing, but a special thank you to David Sanderson for keeping us all in good order!

Here’s wishing all our supporters a very merry Christmas!